Kalugasalamoorthy Temple (Kalugumalai Murugan temple),
Kalugumalai, Thoothukudi – The Temple
The
temple is located in Kalugumalai, a rocky hill in Thoothukudi district in southern Tamilnadu. The sanctum of the temple is approached through a
pillared hall near the gateway. The temple tank is located outside the temple.
The sanctum is built in a rock-cut cave, which houses the image of Murugan in
the form of Kazhugachalamurthi in seated posture. The sanctum faces west and
the image of the presiding deity is 4 ft. (1.2 m) tall.
The
image is sported with six hands with one of them holding Vel (divine spear), his left leg over the shoulder of
the peacock and right is left hanging. There are separate shrines of his
consorts Valli facing south and Deivanai facing north.
There is a separate shrine for Shiva and Parvathi and all the Parsvatah Devatas
(attendant deities) associated with Shiva temples.
Usually
in Murugan temples, his vehicle peacock would be heading towards his right, but
it is sported on to the left of Murugan in this temple. It is believed
that Indra, the king of celestial deities, appeared as peacock to
worship Murugan. The image of the peacock is hence covered during the
festivals. Also Kalugumalai houses the 8th century Kalugumalai Jain Complex and Vettuvan
Koil, an unfinished Shiva temple.
Kalugasalamoorthy
rock cut cave temple excavated on the south-eastern slope of the low rising
Araimalai hillock. The present rock cut cave temple has transformed into huge
complex with the structural additions such as shrines for associate
(Parivara) deities, mandapas and cloister mandapas and holy water tank. The
Lord Jambukesavara (form of Lord Shiva) appear as Shivalinga in the east facing
sanctum at the mandapa and the goddess Akhilandesvari also appears in a
separate south facing sanctum. The pillared mandapa is supported by pillars
with aesthetic bas relief sculptures.
The rock
cut cave temple can be accessed through a mahamandapa or entrance pavilion
(hall) which has two entrances, one at west and the other at north. The structural
mahamandapa is actually an extension of the rock cut cave temple. There are two
sanctums adjoining to the northern wall of the mahamandapa housing Lord
Nataraja and Lord Arumuganayanar (Lord Muruga). The rock cut cave temple
consists of a facade, mukha mandapa and sanctum.
Façade:
The facade
comprises two stupendous pillars in the middle and pilaster on both ends with
the features of square, octagonal kattu and square. The pillars and pilasters
are insulated with brass sheets. The original facade of the rock cut temple has
been modified to suit the flight of steps and the plinth (floor) formation of
the structural main mandapa. The facade, with evenly leveled floor, is 2.05 metres
in the east - west and 6.30 metres in the north - west.
The
facade also extends by 6.46 metres in the north - south and 60 cm in the east -
west and the height is 2.08 metres. The flight of four steps (only three in the
north) leading to the mukha mandapa pass through the anganas of pillars.
The kapodabandha Adhishtanam of the facade comprise elements such as upana,
supporting upana, Thamarai, jagadi, eight patta kumuda, kantha with pada
flanked by kampa, pattika and uparikampa and kapota.
The
octagonal kattu of pillars rest on the wide-angular vettu potikas (corbel
brackets) which supports the prastara elements such as Uttara (beam), vajana
and roof. The prastara elements also extend as unsculpted kapota. The north and
south walls forming part of the mother rock extends evenly up to one metre.
Mukha mandapa:
Another
row of two pillars and two pilasters are cantoning the part of facade and mukha
mandapa. The angana (space between pilaster and pillar) at north bears a brick
wall partition. The south angana (between pilaster and pillar) modified with
brick wall partition with an entrance to the rock cut sanctum. A flight of single
step leads to the sanctum.
The
angana between the two pillars is also modified as the main entrance to the
cave sanctum. The brass sheet insulated pillars bear lotus medallions. The
lintel of the main entrance (below the kapota insulated with brass sheet) shows
makara torana with goddess Gajalakshmi at the center. The square section of the
pillars and wide angular vettu potikas support the prastara elements like
vajana and roof.
Inner mandapa:
An inner
mandapa is located in between sanctum and mukha mandapa, measuring 6.50 metres
in the south - north and 2.00 metres in the east - west and 2.77 metres in
height.
Sanctum:
The
flight of single step leads to the sanctum. The sanctum is a cubical cell
with 1.98 metres in east-west and 2.48 metres in north-south directions. The
height of the sanctum is 2.48 metres. The anterior wall of the sanctum is
sectioned with the four pilasters. There are two platforms constructed
adjoining to the south wall of inner mandapa and sanctum. The sanctum
houses Lord Kalugasalamoorthy with consorts.
Lord Kalugasalamoorthy
appears seated on his pea-cock vehicle in utkutikasana posture. The Lord is
accompanied by his two consorts: goddess Valli on his left and facing north and
goddess Deivanai on his right and facing south. The jewelry of the goddesses
includes Karanda makuta, pathra kundalas, sarapali, armlets, bracelets and silk
garments on their waist. Goddess Deivanai alone wears breast band. The Lord
wears Karanda makuta, patra kundala, pearl and Rudraksha beads malas, and silk
garments on his waist.
Of the
twelve hands the upper right hand holds Vajra (thunderbolt), middle right
hand holds the khadga (sword), the lower right hand shows abhaya hasta mudra
(gesture of fearlessness); the upper left hand holds sakthivel (spear), middle
hand khetka (shield) and lower hand varada hasta mudra (gesture of generosity).
Inscriptions:
The
Vikrama Pandiya’s 15th regnal year inscription engraved before the sanctum of
Lord Jambukeswarar (on the south wall) records the gift of fifty goats and one
sheep to provide ghee for burning perpetual lamp by the Sri Rudramahesvara
of this temple. The inscription also mentions about the tank for
collecting the ablution water.
